IDC donates benches to Pointe Larue secondary school |19 October 2021

A souvenir photograph to mark the occasion (Photo: Thomas Meriton)

The Islands Development Company (IDC) has donated six twin benches, attached with tables, to the Pointe Larue secondary school.

The benches, made of pine wood, can accommodate up to ten students (five on each side).

They were constructed at a cost of R30,000 by the Green Island Construction Company (GICC) in its carpentry workshop on Desroches Island.

The benches will be placed around the school compound for students to enjoy their meals during tea breaks and lunch times as well as to study, do research work, discuss school work and relax.

It was the company’s public relations and communications manager, Michael Govinden, who handed over the six benches to the head boy of the school’s student forum, Dylan Didon (S4) and forum member Allysha Libanotis (S5) in a short ceremony held at the school yesterday morning.

Present were head teacher Raymonde Lavigne, the district administrator Versna Gertrude, other members of the student forum and representatives from IDC and from the school management.

On behalf of the school, head girl Matchella Moustache from S4 thanked IDC for the generous donation.

She said that now students will be able to have a place to sit down and relax as sitting facilities was one of their biggest concerns at the school.

She noted that apart from sitting down to enjoy their snacks and meals during mid-morning and lunch breaks, the benches are also beneficial in implementing and improving social distancing at the school.

Even if the benches can accommodate up to ten students, only six (three on each side) will be allowed to sit in this time of the pandemic.

“Through your donation, we have been able to accomplish our goal for giving our students sitting facilities. You have truly made a difference in our students’ lives and for that we are grateful for your amazing donation,” said Matchella, who presented IDC with a token of appreciation through Mr Govinden.

On behalf of the IDC board of directors, Mr Govinden said that the company was happy to respond to the school’s request to facilitate comfort and social distancing.

He added that IDC has assisted many projects in schools and the donation is part of its social responsibility to give back to the community.

He also presented a copy of the book ‘Outer Islands of Seychelles’ produced by IDC, for the school’s library.

Ms Lavigne called on the members of the students’ forum to, with the assistance of the school management, take ownership of the benches and to see that they are well taken care of and that no students get to write or scribble on them.

Patrick Joubert